How To Make A Skater Skirt

Skater style skirts are easy to make, current and can be cut to make them suitable for women of all ages. To learn how to make a skater skirt follow these simple instructions.

When I was a fashion student (Journalism and marketing – not design and production!) I used to dabble in making my own clothes. I was usually better at customizing existing clothes rather than making from scratch but I once managed to make a tartan kilt which looked OK!

Recently I was looking for a leopard print skirt but there were no styles I liked in the shops so I decided to go back to my student roots and make it myself. I chose to make a skater skirt as it is really simple (I told you, I was never a fashion designer at college, more a commentator!) so if I can do this, believe me, anyone can!

All you need for the pattern is a tape measure; big piece of newspaper; marker pen; pair of scissors.

For the skirt you need your pattern; 1m of fabric; an 8cm zip; iron on interfacing for the waistband and a popper or a hook and eye fastening.

Method:

Measure your waist in inches then add two inches then divide this number by 6.28 to get your radius measurement. This sounds complicated but really it’s not – you do it to get the right radius.
Now subtract 1cm from this for the seam allowance.
Now take your sheet of paper and mark the top left hand corner with an A. From point A, measure 21cm down the left hand side of the paper and write in ‘B’, then from point A again, measure 21cm along the top edge of the paper and write in ‘C’.
Now join up points B and C by forming an arc – drawing a curved line to go from B to C. See the photo below

The line makes the waistband of your skirt. Now we draw the hemline.
Take your skirt measurement (for example 41cm) and add 1.5cm for a hem. This makes 42.5cm so measure down this amount from the waistline at several points along the waistband and mark with dots, then you join up the dots to get a hemline.
Cut out this pattern – it makes one half of your skater skirt.
The waistband pattern: decide how wide you want your waistband to be and double that figure. Add 3cm for seam allowances and that is your width. For the length, take the waistband measurement and add 6cm for seam allowances and overlap where the waistband meets. For example, if the waistband is 3.5cm double this to get 7cm. Add on 3cm seam allowance and you have 10cm. So the waistband measures 74.5cm x 10cm.
Cut the fabric: Cut out two skirt pieces and one waistband from the fabric. Cut out a waistband in iron-on interfacing – ideally cut the interfacing so that it’s 1cm smaller all the way round.
Start sewing: First, do a line of stitching 1cm away from the raw edge which stops the fabric stretching out of shape. Do this stitching along the waistband edge of the skirt back and the skirt front
Finish the raw edges to stop fraying with a zig-zag stitch all the way round the skirt, using a sewing machine.
Now place your fabric pieces for the skirt back and the skirt front together with the correct side of the fabric facing inward, so the skirt is ‘inside out’. Then pin all the way up one side seam. On the other side seam pin the raw edges together but stop 7cm from the top as this is where the zip goes.
Straight stitch 1.5cm from the edge along both seams. Press seams flat with an iron.
With the skirt inside out, check for size – try it on and make sure the waist fits you. It shouldn’t be too tight as you’ll have the waistband seam which will add bulk but ensure it’s not too loose. Alter at this stage if necessary.
Inserting the zip: Attach the zip foot to your machine. With the skirt inside out, lay the zip right side down (the side with the slider) onto your open side seam
Pin into place. The top of the zip tape needs to be level with the top raw edge of your skirt. Stitch 0.5cm from the raw edge down both sides of the zip tape.
Turn the skirt right way around and press the seams with a hot iron. Topstitch so that the seam stays in place.
Attaching the waistband: Pin the waistband to the top of the skirt matching the top raw edges and making sure the waistband ends protrude beyond the edge of the skirt waist – then stitch into place.
With right sides together, double the waistband back on itself. Pin and stitch at the ends and trim the seam allowance. Turn the waistband the right way around, poking out the corners with a knitting needle.
Turn the raw edge under on the inside waist and stitch into place.
Handsew a hook & eye or a popper onto the top of the waistband.
Lastly, turn the hem up by 1cm and stitch with a straight stitch.

You can wear this skirt with thick black tights in the winter and go bare legged in the summer if you’re brave enough! I was so impressed with the finished result that I took myself off to a local stately home for a photoshoot to really showcase the outfit!